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From Ten Things James Knew About Sirius #9
Sirius found himself flopping onto the couch in the Gryffindor Common Room, exhaustion creeping through his bones like a cold grip. He closed his eyes for a moment or so before he could hear his named being called.
"Padfoot," Remus said, approaching him with slight trepidation.
"Oi, what's wrong?" Sirius asked, now sitting up to give his friend his full attention (which was quite an accomplishment because Sirius struggled to keep his attention in one place, especially when it came to conversations). "Did Wormtail get his bloody head stuck in the chair again?"
"No," Remus huffed, wrinkling his nose at the mere thought of poor Peter getting himself stuck again. "It's Lily...and Prongs. I'm sure you can guess the rest. But, it's worse this time round."
Sirius sucked in a breath, hoping he would not sound too exasperated. He loved his best mates, truly, but sometimes they were a load to handle (especially James). James had fallen head over heels...right off his broomstick in love with Evans.
Although, his feelings were hardly reciprocated. In fact, it was the opposite. More often than not, James would ask Evans out, get his hopes up, she would reject him publicly, then James would seclude himself to lick his wounds. The general pattern never really changed.
"Where is the git?" he inquired, stretching his arms over his head to get the crick out from his shoulder. "I haven't seen him all day."
"He's been at the Quidditch Pitch for most of it," Remus said with a sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Pete's with him right now, trying to talk to him, but Prongs isn't having any of it."
Sirius rose to his feet and threw on his cloak rather unceremoniously.
"You don't have to be like that, Sirius," Remus said, using his real name instead of their given nicknames.
"You tell me what I'm supposed to be like," Sirius said, whipping around to face the other in the eye. He narrowed his and frowned sharply, finally feeling every emotion bubble dangerously to the surface. "You tell me what the bloody hell I'm supposed to be like, Remus! I'm sick and tired of James prancing after that Evans only for him to get hurt! It's not right!"
"No," Remus said calmly, putting a hand flat on Sirius's chest to calm him down. "And I know it can't be easy for you, but stopping James is like trying to stop the sun from rising. It just won't happen. The most we can do is be there for him when he needs support."
"Merlin's gray beard," Sirius hissed, feeling his muscles tense while his facial expression relaxed. The calm, soothing tone coming from Remus helped him fuel down. "I don't know what to say to him anymore. He knows how I feel about Evans, but he sure as hell won't listen."
"It's not your job to tell James what to do," Remus murmured softly, letting his hands fall into Sirius's to get his attention. "But it's our job to be his friend."
Sirius gave Remus's hand a squeeze before he nodded. "Where is he?"
"Astronomy Tower…"
"Okay," Sirius said, heading for the Common Room exit. But, before he stepped out, he turned around and engulfed the lycanthrope in an embrace. "Thanks."
"Let's go," Remus said with a gentle smile while they pulled out of the hug.
It did not take long to find James sitting on the tower's centerpiece, looking moodily out into the night even though he most likely could not see a thing. Sirius, used to seeing his friend in this state, knew exactly what to do.
"Jamesy," he said in a singsong voice, forcing levity into his tone and skipping over to his friend. "Where have you been Prongsy-poo?"
"Here, don't call me that," James said all at once, taking a break from his brooding to look at his friend with an attempted exasperated glare. "What do you want me for?"
"Who else am I going to have tea and cookies with? The house elves?" Sirius asked, trying his best to crack a convincing smile.
James raised one eyebrow but not did inquire any further. The latter sat in silence for another few moments before finally asking the question that he wanted to.
"Why doesn't she fancy me?"
Sirius exchanged looks with Remus and Peter before stepping up and sitting next to James, putting his hand on his shoulder.
"You're not what she's looking for," the eldest Black heir said quietly. "Doesn't mean that what she does is even remotely close to being appropriate, but reading between the lines…"
James shrugged. "Well…she's what I want…"
"It doesn't work like that," Sirius continued, deciding he would be honest but gentle with it. "I think we've figured that our since our first year here. Give her some space, mate. See how she does when you're not pestering her every bloody day."
James snorted and shook his head, letting his shoulders sag visibly. "Okay…"
Sirius sighed, closing his eyes for a brief moment. He tried his hardest to refrain from cursing or insulting James's "crush", but the desire became overwhelming. Just as he opened his mouth to say something, Remus caught his eye.
The look was unforgettable…something that told Sirius it was not about him. Quickly, the raven-haired boy closed his mouth and gave James's shoulder a squeeze.
"Up for a firewhiskey tonight?" he asked.
James cracked a small smile at that. "Can't say no to you, now can I?"
"No…no you can't," Sirius said, rising to his feet and gesturing for his friends to close the distance. "To Madam Rosmerta."
